ASRock Z690 Phantom Gaming-ITX/TB4
Specifications
- Manufacturer: ASRock
- Chipset: Z690
- Socket: LGA1700
- Form Factor: Mini ITX
- DIMM Slots: 2
- Color: Black / Red
BIOS Update Status
- Microcode 0x129
Microcode update 0x129 addresses an issue where the processor may request high voltages, potentially leading to accelerated degradation.
- Microcode 0x12B
Microcode update 0x12B addresses elevated voltage requests by the processor during idle and/or light activity periods (includes 0x129).
- Microcode 0x12F
Microcode update 0x12F to further address processor degradation on systems with light activity.
Latest BIOS Version
1. Update Secure Boot Key (2023 KEK/DB/PK).SHA256: 0d73618f720a0375404ce554d8f31f9b0bddc9975eea02fb1150c5bbbe973347
BIOS Release Notes Analysis
Launch Stability & Compatibility
The firmware lifecycle begins with v3.01, establishing the baseline for the Z690 platform. Update v4.06 integrates support for Intel XMP 3.0 Specification Rev1.2, enhancing memory profile compatibility. Firmware v6.04 optimizes performance for the Core i9-12900K and introduces the "Load Intel Base Power Limit Settings" option to manage thermal envelopes. Connectivity improvements arrive in v7.01, resolving WiFi module conflicts, while v9.01 updates the ASRock Network module and enhances Intel XTU function support.
Feature Maturity & Hardware Support
Major architectural updates commence with v12.04, enabling support for Intel 13th Gen processors. Version 16.01 expands compatibility to 14th Gen "Raptor Lake Refresh" CPUs and enables support for non-binary 24GB and 48GB high-density DDR5 modules. This update also refreshes the ME and GOP firmware. Further refinement in v17.02 introduces a CPU Indicator utility for K-series processors, while v19.02[Beta] retroactively enables Intel Application Optimization (APO) support for 12th and 13th Gen Core processors.
Critical Security & Power Management
Security and stability take precedence in later revisions, starting with v18.01 which patches UEFI LogoFAIL vulnerabilities. Update v19.05[Beta] enforces Intel Default Settings to align with recommended power profiles. The mitigation strategy for Vmin Shift Instability begins in v19.06[Beta] with Microcode 0x125 to fix eTVB algorithms, followed by v19.07 with Microcode 0x129 to implement a 1.55V voltage clamp. Version 20.01 integrates Microcode 0x12B to address the root cause of elevated idle voltages, and v20.04 deploys Microcode 0x12F for advanced mitigation against edge-case voltage drifts.
ℹ️AI-synthesized summary derived from official changelogs and verified microcode specifications. Always verify with the manufacturer.